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iTunes Plus Released

by Tim Stevens on May 30, 2007 at 09:09 AM



Normally, another version of Apple's iTunes isn't exactly news, but the one coming out today is a little different. The latest 7.2 version of iTunes includes the new iTunes Plus store, where higher-quality and unprotected music from EMI will be sold. These DRM-free tunes will not only come in at a higher bitrate, meaning they'll sound better, but they'll also come without copy protection restrictions, meaning you can burn them again and again without fear and even copy them from computer to computer. (No word yet on whether the iTunes DRM-free tracks will play on non-iPods -- which would be nice -- but we'll let you know as soon as we find out.)

These premium quality tracks will cost a premium -- $1.29 instead of the usual $.99 -- but in this case the benefits far outweigh the cost. Also, don't fear if you already have a library full of iTunes tracks and you want to be free of the DRM shackles. You will be able to upgrade your existing tracks to the new Plus variety for an as yet undisclosed amount.

Right now, though, there's nothing to upgrade to, as the Plus store is still empty. Expect it to start filling up sometime this morning, most likely with some tracks from the Beatles, Beach Boys, Arcade Fire, Tori Amos, and other EMI artists.

From Gizmodo and Wired.

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Tags: DRM, iTunes Store, ItunesStore

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